I have many hats and intend to regular post a picture of me in a different hat, cap or other headgear, then perhaps say something about them.
Note I'm not a hat expert, so what I say may not be totally correct, however after collecting so many different hats I can occasionally offer some insight.

hats

Tuesday, 29 December 2015

Starting with a knitted knights helmet from the Crazy Terry's complete with moveable visor.

The helmet will stop all blows to any self pride you have.

The next gift from fellow larper and friend Dom is a miniature Spanish style conquistadors Comb Marion helmet made of metal but 1/3rd scale.

I did try to balance it on top of my head but the photo came out blurred.

Not least but a proper hat that will used, is the one below, I best describe this as a cavaliers hat although perhaps a wider brim is order, decorated by Dave and Julie and presented to me by their daughter who was as excited to give it to me as I was to receive it.

Goes well with red Christmas present jumper.

Also jumping into the photo BB8

Last while digging out my Christmas wrapping a week or so ago I came across my old sallet which I thought I had sold see this post here.

A little bit rustier and the straps had rotted, I must have packed it away while damp.

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

This a great fun felt festival hat, I think it would be brilliant for Morris Dancing or perhaps just for standing out from the norm should you want to.

This hat fell into my hands while at Tewkesbury Medieval festival, I walked by the stall selling it several times thinking I don't need this hat but it kept punching me in the eye saying "buy me, buy me", like some hats do, and I have a very low resistance.

When I put this hat on for some reason I want to sing All around my hat I will wear the Green Willow (see here if don't know what I mean) and dance around my living room.

Saturday, 5 December 2015

I was informed when I purchase this hat that it was Pannonian Pileus, not sure how true this is, however looking for info to check this out Pannonian hats do appear to be this shape, although the ones I've seen seem to be made of fur or skin rather than felt, so is at the very least not far from the truth.

The traditional Pileus Hat is a brimless cone (not like this hat) of felt worn by Greek Roman sailors from around 375 B.C. to the 4th century A.D.

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

This Nightcap was made as a Birthday present by my good friend Julie back in 2009 you can see her blog about it here.

Nightcaps are basically beanie hats designed to keep you head warm in bed back in the days before central heating, also to reduce the spread of head lice after your wig was removed.

Nightcaps are said to be more commonly worn as people as got older probably because they are more likely to be bald or perhaps its because older people kept the fashion going as wearing nightcaps died out in the 1800's so its associated with older people your guess is as good as mine on that front.

Nightcaps where first reported has being worn in northern Europe in the middle ages and fashionable for all people from the mid 15th to late 19th Century.

Saturday, 7 November 2015

I was recently informed my Bowler hat was in fact a Derby, now I always believed Bowler, Derby and its many other names Coke Hat, Boxer, Billy Cock, were all names for the same thing and for all useful purpose bar riding they still are.

The Bowler was first made and designed in 1850 by William Bowler for Sir William Coke for head protection when riding. The Derby got its name when the 12th Earl of Derby visited the United States in a hat of this style in 1880 and created a fashion there, so could be classed as the America name for Bowler.

Anyway if your looking for a difference a Bowler is hard and rigid, while the dome of the Derby Hat can be bent easily with the fingers, both are the same shape.

Sunday, 1 November 2015

This hood has character its been patched in several places, including where it caught fire while I was wearing it from a pyrotechnic I got too close to, luckily for me wool does not burn as quickly as some modern fibres.

Photo below a minor warrior from a lrp event.

This hood is old, I first wore it during 1980's when I started doing re-enactment in it various forms.

I'm wearing it on the front row of the photo below from around 1990 I'm the one in blue and yellow with a pole axe. This was during a period when I did theatrical re-enactment at Warwick Castle and various other places.